It’s been almost 6 decades since Harry Young Jr. no-tilled the first commercial plot of corn in Herndon, Ky., and no-till has certainly come a long way since, as the bold experiment set off an agricultural evolution across the U.S. and globally. But farmers must still log a profit as they do right by soil health to stay in business.

With the adoption of liquid fertilizers came the opportunity to place some of a plant’s fertility needs near the seed. This method allowed for increases in yield as phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and micronutrients were positioned to be more available to the seed and plant root system earlier in the growing season. 

Did you know that your row units are potentially lying to you? You may think you know where they're placing seed, but unseen wear on the gauge wheel arm, depth rocker and pivot bolt may mean seed is being placed unevenly across the width of the planter. The Planter Maintenance series is brought to you by Precision Planting.

Agricultural producers who have coverage under most crop insurance policies are eligible for a premium benefit from the USDA if they planted cover crops during the 2022 crop year. To receive the benefit from this year’s Pandemic Cover Crop Program, producers must report cover crop acreage by March 15, 2022.

Farmers and ranchers have until March 1, 2022, to file their 2021 income tax returns without penalty if they have not made estimates. Producers who paid their estimated tax by Jan. 15 have until April 15 to file. 

Projects must focus on the on-farm, on-ranch or forest production of commodities and show reductions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission or carbon sequestration as a benefit. The project description specifically mentions cover crops, no-till and low-till among the projects favored for selection, but indicates they won’t be enough by themselves.